XIII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Conflict Between Sheepmen and Cattlemen

  Fargo's plan to use his bear dogs to destroy the sheep flock exemplifies the brutal tactics in the range war.

• The Primitive and Atavistic

  José's blood-madness and Fargo's savage inspiration from the dog pack highlight primal instincts and violence.

• Nature and the Cycle of Life and Death

  The murder of Dan and the planned slaughter of sheep reflect the harsh cycle of death in the wilderness.

Characters to notice

• José Mertos

  Returns to Fargo after murdering Dan and his dog; struggles with afterimages of the killing.

• Landy Fargo

  Receives José's report; plans to use his bear dogs to destroy the sheep flock.

• Dan

  Murdered by José; his bewildered expression haunts José.

• Alice Crowson

  Expected to discover the murder and flock destruction in three days.

• Hugh Gaylord

  Mentioned as arriving at the sheep camp for the first time during the twilight.

Key passages

• “He hadnвАЩt seemed to realize that Jos√© had shot him, that even as the blank expression of astonishment had come upon his face the lead ball had forced a passage through his breast.”

  Dan appeared not to understand he had been shot, his face showing only blank surprise as the bullet pierced his chest.

  José recalls Dan's bewildered expression after being shot.

• “It was as if they heard us talkinвАЩ about sheep. ItвАЩs like they was tryinвАЩ to tell us what to do.”

  The dogs' howling seemed to respond to their conversation about sheep, as if suggesting a course of action.

  Fargo interprets the bear dogs' howling as a sign to use them against the sheep.